Geneva resident John Rice signed an online petition to U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Winfield, asking him to support an assault weapons ban and universal background checks.

“The whole goal is to get back to some of the common sense regulations that were put in place,” Rice said. “Like having an assault weapons ban so some of these dangerous weapons – guns designed for military use, military-grade weaponry – are not in circulation. Also, the idea of closing the loopholes for gun shows.”

Jess Chipkin, 59, of Huntley said she started the online petition Dec. 27 after the shooting of 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The shooting was done with an assault-style weapon. Chipkin said Hultgren’s staff has her scheduled to meet with the congressman March 25. She hopes to bring him at least 1,000 signatures. So far, the petition has collected 263.